HABITS SPECIAL................... What are some habits that I can develop today that will make me better person a year from now?

What are some habits that I can develop today that will make me better person a year from now?

Try one or all these habits to become the best version of yourself after an year. If you find these habits working, then try more ways to develop more and good habits as well as to improve the existing habits.

1. Do hard things early in the day

2.  Use a timer to do things.

3.  Commit to complete at least one goal a day

4.  Embrace Gratitude

5.  Treat yourself for the efforts you make in a day

6.  Read to gain knowledge

7.  Write to be clear with your thoughts

8.  Do exercise or workout daily

9.  Develop a habit or skill, as per need

#FOR PRODUCTIVITY

Habit #1. Do hard things early in the day.

·         Why? Your brain’s performance supposed to be high at the early part of the day. In this period, your brain is supercharged and whatever you do in this period, will accomplish much easier compare to other parts of the day. If you do hard work early in the day, your mind will be completely focused to complete the task without much distraction.

·         How? If you’re a student, try to study the hard chapters first or solve the hard problems. Similarly, if you’re at workplace, so instead of going through mails, focus to finish the bigger and important tasks for the day. You can check mails in later part of day also.

Habit #2. Use a timer to do things.

·         Why? For being efficient in whatever you do, use a timer. It will allow to manage your time in much better way. As it helps the brain to focus in more targeted ad effective way.

·         How?

o    If it takes 25 minutes to take shower, set the timer for 15 minutes and try to complete it within the time set.

o    If it takes 45 minutes to conduct a meeting, set the timer for 30 minutes and complete it within 30 minutes.

o    Think about this: Have you ever thought why organizations give just 30 minutes for having lunch or dinner. Just because to keep you on your feet.

o    By using a timer, it will allow to focus on main things and avoid unnecessary activities and thoughts.

Habit#3. Commit to complete at least one goal a day.

·         Here’s why? It encourages you to focus on accomplishment of goal for the day. It allows your mind to think strategically and push yourself to achieve it. Probably, you’ll have many goals to accomplish but if you focus on at least achieving one per day, will help to reduce the number of goals and improve concentration for rest of the goals.

·         How? Write down all the goals you’ve on a large sheet and place it somewhere you can view at it mostly. Highlight the goal for the day, remind your why for the goals and focus early to accomplish it at the end of the day.

# FOR DEVELOPING POSITIVE MINDSET

Habit #4. Embrace Gratitude

·         Why? Embracing gratitude helps your mind to focus on good things. It makes you think about the possibilities of solving a problem in mid of facing a trouble, As well as it allows you to connect with people and develop good relations with them and at the same keep you grounded.

·         How? When you wake up, take 5–10 minutes every morning and allow yourself to think about all the good things and blessings you’ve and appreciate them for their presence in your life. It instantly cheers you up and makes your day good.

Habit #5. Treat yourself for the efforts you make in a day

·         Why? When you work or study whole day, it makes you feel like you’re overburdened with responsibilities and expectations. And, your mind starts thinking negatively. So, to stay positive, treat yourself for the efforts you make in a day. Do something which gives you immense pleasure in free or available time and feel the pleasure and happiness out of it. It will allow you to forget all the stress you had in entire day and feel refreshed and energetic.

·         How? Do whatever you like to do.

o    If you like to watch some programs, turn on the TV and watch it.

o    If you like to listen music, pick your phone, go through the playlist and have some music.

o    If you love books, pick a book, grab a cup of coffee, and spend your time with it.

o    It will encourage you to embrace positive attitude as well as to put efforts to achieve the goal set for next day.

# For SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Habit #6. Read to gain knowledge

·         Why? When you read something (a journal, book, an article, or anything), it allows you to step in the shoes of the author and figure out an important thought or information instantly which probably took years for the author. You got a valuable learning just by spending 1–2 hour daily.

·         How? Pick something to read, give a quick read and in next read take your time to understand the purpose of creating that stuff by author. Start from summary, followed by main and sub points and then start reading. It will allow you to read the content without a haste.

Habit #7. Write to be clear with your thoughts.

·         Why? When you write something, you flex your brain muscles to think and organize the thoughts in simplified way. When you write down your thoughts, you re-red it many times and it provides clarity in your thought process and gain the brevity.

·         How? Pick a topic, write down your thoughts about it. A rough sketch of your thoughts. Then, review it and create a beautiful painting of your thoughts out of the rough sketch. The better you’ll write, the better your thoughts will be and you’ll easily explain your points to others.

Habit #8. Do exercise or workout daily.

·         Why? So far I’ve shared the habits to develop your mind. But, by exercising and doing workout allows the growth of physical and mental growth. When you do workouts, mentally you prepare yourself to be more challenging and strong. And, physically, you feel more appealing and confident in the crowd.

·         How? Even if you’re not a big fan of exercise or workout. OR, you’ve a shortage of time, you can try these exercises in the minimal time.

o    Walk- It allows the complete exercise of your body. Within 5–10 minutes walk, you prepare your body and mind to keep alive for rest of the day. It also improve the cognitive ability of brain.

o    Push-ups- Find a space and start doing. Do as much as you can. You are on your way to shape your upper part of body.

o    Planks- Again, you don’t need any equipment. Do as much as you can and experience the shaping and growth of abdominal and other parts of your body.

Habit #9. Develop a habit or skill, as per need.

·         Why? Life is a journey and you never know which skill or habit can be handy. When you develop a habit or learn a skill, you equip yourself to become more better and updated. It allows you to face the life changes and struggles more easily. You feel confident to tackle things regardless of the difficulty.

·         How? Analyze yourself and find your weaknesses and strengths. To improve your strengths or overcome weaknesses, pick the relevant skills and habits and practice to develop it. Develop one habit or a skill at a time. Don’t indulge yourself in multiple habits and skills development. If you focus on one thing, you’ll effectively develop and learn it.

Rahul Sinha, An amateur Life Coach

FROM QUORA